Major food corporations are hoping that the average American will cling to catch phrases rather than read food nutrition labels.
First, the awesome refrigerator from "The Jetsons" was "smart." Then, that tiny car next to you on Interstate 75 stopped being ridiculous and became "smart." After that, Glaceau even managed to make water "smart." Now, foods like Froot Loops, mayonnaise and Fudgsicle bars are dubbed "smart," too.
"Smart Choices" was promoted as a universal nutritional ranking system that would make it easy for consumers to identify healthy foods without having to scour over nutritional facts. However, since it is controlled by major food industry players, it is closer to a marketing ploy than a real nutritional system.
Companies behind this new program include PepsiCo, General Mills and Kraft Foods. Each pays up to $100,000 a year to use the labels, according to a report by MotherJones.com.
Because companies have to pay to use the label, "Smart Choices" has a huge incentive to apply it to as many products as possible. To meet the "Smart Choices" criteria, a product only has to be better than the nutritional worst.
For example, Froot Loops can get the "Smart Choices" logo on the front of its packaging because it is a "smarter" choice than other breakfast foods, like doughnuts.
Ideally, the United States wouldn't need a universal nutritional labeling system to solve its obesity problem.
Some people just don't realize that eating a package of Fruit Gushers doesn't count as eating a serving of fruit, though.
On-the-go Americans who don't have the time or desire to read nutritional labels deserve a system that's better than "Smart Choices."
Labeling foods like Reese's Puffs as nutritional isn't "smart," it's a deceptive scheme by companies trying to profit off of ignorance.
